October 7, 2016
Volume 95 Issue 1
An Open Forum for Student Expression
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The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
Friends Anonymous (x8) Alden Lumpkin Alicia and Jay Edgar Amy Barnett and Arthur Furukawa Britt Anderson Chia Wang Dan Hall & Michelle Marchent David Lundsgaard and Lori Lynn Phillips Elana Jassy Gina Anstey Gold Janet Gwilym and Bing Tso Jeanne and David Hoppe Julie Wroble and Rick Kolpa Kari & Brennan Connor Karin Brookes Kathryn Robinson and Tom Braman Kirk Wohlers Kristen Sycamore Photography Laura Gardner and Hiroshi Matsubara Leslie & Kenny Stocker Lisa Thomas and Elod Toth Maggie R. Fisher Marcos and Monica Jones-Borges Mary Sharp Mitzi Jarvis Philippa Webster and John Mulligan Poynter-Veal Family Prentice Family Robin Stern and Kim Harper Sarah Huffbauer & David True Shoshana Driver Sound Child Care Solutions Steve and Stephanie Jones Tanya and Chris Kamila Tracey Rowland and Larry Reid Trina Blake Ted Sullivan These contributions help make the production and publication of The Garfield Messenger possible. If you would like to support The Messenger, please contact us at garfieldmessenger@gmail.com Editorial and Letter Policy The purpose of The Garfield Messenger is to present student perspectives on issues and events related to the Garfield High School community. The Messenger’s editorial responsibility lies not in presenting a particular viewpoint or agenda, but in representing a variety of opinions. Views expressed in publications by The Messenger do not necessarily represent those of our staff, supporters, or the Garfield High School student body and faculty. The Garfield Messenger welcomes responses to our publications as well as opinions concerning issues relevant to Garfield. Please send editorials, opinion columns, or letters to the editor to garfieldmessenger@gmail.com Contact The Garfield Messenger The Garfield Messenger Garfield High School 400 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Phone/Fax: (206) 252-2270 E-mail: garfieldmessenger@gmail.com
Volume 95 Issue 1 October 7, 2016
News Briefs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Advice With Dave and Paulette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
New Bulldog at GHS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Please Silence all Celephones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
by Bella Rowland-Reid by Flora Taagen
Honors for All. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 by Cipher Goings
The Tweet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 by Claire Boudour & Delphi Drake-Mudede
by Paulette Argeres & David Willner by Elena Orlando
Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 by Susana Davidson
Why Feminism Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 by Esther Chien
Written in the Stars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 by Bella Rowland-Reid
Stack on Stacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 by Claire Boudour
Stand By Stand Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 by Hannah Tacke
Bummer-shoot?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 by Julia Regueri
Mindful Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 by Kiki Manning
Two Strikes and You’re Out (of the halls). . . . . . . 8 by Ann Shan
The Power of Uncle Joe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Back in The House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
High School Hacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Kneeling for a Brighter Future. . . . . ... . . . . . . . .16
by Jessica Morales & Allani Seals by Flora Taagen & Julia Lin
by Alex Ferry
by Delphi Drake-Mudede
Freshletes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
by Charlotte Gong & Sydney Santos
Is it Really Winning? . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . .18 byJosh Chestnut
SLAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 by Sydney Santos
Fall Sports Preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 by Lily Laesch
Writing Executive Bella Rowland-Reid Graphics Executive Cora Andersen Bicknell Graphics Editor Elliott Hoppe Section Editors Hannah Tacke • Quinn Sullivan Elena Orlando • Emma Cooper Business Executive David Willner Backpage Artist Paulette Argeres Webmaster Miraya Horton Advisor Corey Allan Martin
Writers Alex Ferry • Allani Seals • Jessica Morales • Kiki Manning • Susana Davidson • Cipher Goings • Lily Laesch • Flora Taagen • Josh Chestnut • Julia Lin • Claire Boudour • Delphi Drake-Mudede • Sydney Santos • Charlotte Gong • Esther Chien • Ann Chan Photographers Ruby Seiwerath • Peter Kubiniec • Freya Wiedemann Illustrators BriAnna Kleckner • Ana Matsubara Business Staff Paulette Argeres • Julia Reguera
Cover by Messenger Photo Staff
Honors for All pg.5
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
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News News Briefs By
A Note From the Editors
#SayHisName
Before playing against West Seattle on Friday, September sixteenth, the entire Garfield football team kneeled during the national anthem. Modeled after athletes such as Colin Kaepernick, this peaceful act serves as a protest of racial injustice. Kaepernick and various athletes have committed to kneeling or sitting during the anthem until racial justice is achieved throughout our country. Garfield’s football players and coaches, along with the cheerleaders and band members, announced that they would also continue kneeling for the entirety of the season. Many members of the Garfield community, including teachers, the school volleyball team, and countless students, have rallied around the team’s protest and participated as well. We, the Garfield Messenger staff, have allied with the football team and those involved and fully support their right to peacefully protest the national anthem. Inequality between races, genders, classes, and countless other identities, along with the treatment of people of color by law enforcement and classroom segregation, are all issues we feel need to be addressed by the greater community, and we are proud to support the protest of any collective sports team or group of students. Any questions or comments can be directed to garfieldmessenger@gmail.com. - The Editors
On Friday, September 16th, Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old black man living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was murdered by a police officer after approaching her for help with car troubles. Crutcher was coming home from a music appreciation class at his local community college when his SUV stalled in the middle of a public road. He then approached veteran Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby for help, his hands in the air. Shelby responded by firing multiple shots at Crutcher, one of them fatal. Shelby, who has been part of Tulsa’s police force since 2011, has two prior instances of using excessive force against civilians. The hashtag #SayHisName, which was created in response to raise awareness about Crutcher’s death, has been trending on both Twitter and Facebook in the weeks since his murder. Additionally, after dash cam footage of Crutcher’s murder was released, multiple cities, including Seattle, have organized events and marches in protest of police brutality.
Obama Stands with Planned Parenthood
Less than 9 months after vetoing a bill that would defund women’s health center Planned Parenthood, President Barack Obama and the Department of Health and Human Services have announced a new registration requires all states to fund the healthcare provider with taxpayers dollars. Planned Parenthood, which provides services such as STI treatment, cancer screenings, pregnancy tests at affordable rates for people of all genders, has been repeatedly criticized by republican party members and pro-life organizations for their abortion services. Last November, a gunman attacked a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood, killing three and wounding nine. When asked why provoked, the gunman claimed he was exercising justice for the lives of the aborted fetuses.
Natives continue fight against DAPL
In response to multiple protests from multiple Native American tribes and environmental activists, the federal government has ordered all construction on Energy Transfer’s Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) be halted until further notice. The pipeline, which would stretch from North Dakota to Illinois, has been criticised by the Sioux and Lummi Native tribes for lack of environmental and cultural impact studies conducted before the building of the pipeline. With a capacity to transport 470,000 barrels of oil per day, the pipeline runs over a river basin that provides fish and water to many people in the area. Additionally, the DAPL would infiltrate many significant cultural sites, including burial grounds which, if the pipeline were to leak, would not only contaminate the water and fish, but destroy the land and burial sites. Protesters have been met with both riot police and federal authorities, with many protests resulting in arrests and the release of police dogs and teargas on protesters. Learn more about the pipeline and donate to the Sioux tribe at standingrock.org.
New Bulldog at GHS Meet Mr. Zimmermann. By Flora Taagen
so I’m e m i t ong for a ,l in fact I’m- TZ n a g s ve that at that.” , I wa e m i t he k all t at “I cooetty great ood pr LLY g REA
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Bella Rowland Reid
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The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
Undergra d: UW Favorite B ook: Quali ty in every genre Subject: L ang Hobby: Co uage Arts ok Athletics: ing Ha track and fi ted middle school eld, now av id runner Fun Fact: Lived in W isc diana, Flor ida, Indian onsin, In a (a Mexico, Co lorado, Illin gain), ois, and California by the age of 14 Say hell face at Garo to Mr. Zimmermann full-time L field who not only te, a new to make casanguage Arts but ma aches run routine hew milk from scratc nages ing referrin ly in his free time. A h and Zimmerma g to Garfield as his ho lreadnn is ecstati m c to be a e, Bulldog.
News
Honors for All
Classes increase in diversity. By Cipher Goings
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his year Garfield High School has started an “Honors For All” program, in which freshman students of all backgrounds take honors-level language arts and history classes, in order to encourage ethnic diversity in and outside of the classroom. Honors-For-All (HFA) has been intended by the teachers to give all students an equal beginning in their high school careers, to show that all students are more than capable of being in the honors/ AP classrooms. Often the different level classes are racially divided which cause a lack of diversity not only in the classroom but the school community. “The HFA allows all the students coming in to at least have started at the starting line at the same point, than students who were assigned to general [education] and have to work harder to get into honor/Ap classes.” says world history teacher Nathan Simoneaux. All of the ninth grade world history and language arts teachers here at Garfield were supportive of HFA and are trying to change the dynamic not only through the class curriculum but class discussions as well. ‘’I think diversity makes our classes a lot better because when we are having conversations we get broader perspectives.” says language arts teacher Timothy Zimmerman. Separation is very present in the Garfield community due to many reasons such as race, gender, sexuality, etc. Through HFA teachers are showing students that difference can be a good thing. “This year teachers are being deliberate in creating a community. I want my students to that know all the difference in the room is a total asset” says Zimmerman. Before implementing the HFA program, some were skeptic about if HFA will really help students or set them up for failure. Some parents feared that HFA, is too big a leap for students who come from a slower paced learning environment. “Honors for all is by definition ‘one size fits all’ curriculum and classes. Either it will be easier than honor classes should be, or kids who were not taking honors before will
struggle.” says male 2015 PTSA president Alec Cooper. On the opposing side others feel that HFA is a positive idea because the classes will lead to a successful path down the line. “The honor classes are a good idea because it challenges them more and prepares them for more challenging classes that they may take in their coming years.” says freshman mother Ridhwan Salat. Now that HFA has started, a lot of the freshmen population enjoy the honor classes because of the opportunities that diversity adds to class discussions. “Diversity gives a lot of inputs, my history class is more diverse than any other class, so whenever we discuss topics we have different ideas.” says freshman student Lily Tran. Also many freshman students feel that being in a diverse setting creates a nice tone for the class dynamic for all students. “I feel comfortable in my honor classes, especially since they’re not full of white people and there are more who look like me” says freshman student Mychael Hodges. Typically, students begin their honor/ AP track in elementary school and continue on for the rest of their scholastic lives. These classes have very few people of color and the few that are there are forced to sacrifice diverse class settings in exchange for a quality education.Garfield Freshman students are enjoying the best of both worlds. “I love [HFA]. One thing I had at my other school was not a lot of diversity. What I love about this new HFA is that I get to be challenged without giving up the
diversity...I know that at least in two of my classes I won’t be the only black person in them.” says freshman Ava Muno. Typically the most segregated areas in the school include the third floor Alder hallway, the balcony, the football field, and the classrooms. Teachers are using HFA as a way to promote change through the freshman class. ”The ninth graders are still extremely new, which means that they aren’t already limited by the patterns that we see here at Garfield.”says male government and social studies teacher Jerry Neufeld-Kaiser. In comparing prior years of teaching any classes to this year’s HFA, Teachers feel that the classes they were teaching before were full of students that were capable of being in more difficult classes, it was a matter of the students going for those classes. “In teaching general [education], they never were “general Ed” students…every student in their own way is advanced, no student or group of students is fully more advanced than another.”says Simoneaux. Many Garfield upperclassmen of color who have taken honor classes also support HFA. They feel that a more ethnically diverse setting would have helped them get through many of their classes along the way. “The lack of diversity in the class gives a lack of perspective from [the people of color]. My white classmates will never know what it feels like to be a person of color and as a person of color I view the world and history
differently.”says female junior student Tianna Andresen. In giving students an equal start in their scholastic careers, it not only pushes more to take the rigorous classes, but it also puts an end to stereotypes that students form about themselves or others. “It was always weird for me to be in honors/AP classes because as I got older I would get more comments from black kids in regular classes who’d be like,”Dang you’re in that white class? You must be smart” when did being surrounded by whiteness equate to intelligence?” says female junior Allani Seals. A lot of people feel that with it still being the beginning of the school year and with so many things left to cover it’s still kind of early to say whether or not HFA will cause students to continue taking honor/AP classes. However, many students enjoy being in classes that cause them to push themselves, it really makes them feel good. “I like being in honor classes” says Mychael Hodges. “I enjoy being challenged.”
Art by Ana Matsubara
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
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News
The Tweet
The consequences of hate speech on social media. By Claire Boudour and Delphi Drake-Mudede
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any of us would like to believe that a snapchat goes away after ten seconds, or that an Instagram post disappears once it’s deleted, but that is usually not the case. In May of last year, a former Garfield sophomore posted a tweet comparing a Muslim woman wearing a Niqab to a member of the KKK. “My intentions of the tweet was to satire the ignorance and racism I’d seen on Twitter in recent months due to the rise of Donald Trump and his supporters.” Although he was attempting to be comical, multiple Garfield students and faculty have since become frustrated. They argued that there was a strong racist and xenophobic message. Before a majority of the school knew about the tweet, he had already decided to transfer to a different school for unrelated reasons. Principal Ted Howard says that the student would not have been allowed to return to Garfield without facing some consequences. “There would have been conversations with him and his parents and we would have asked him to take some classes. If he is going to come here and be around people of different nationalities, then he needs to understand how his language impacts people.” The first student to share the tweet online was now senior, Sydney Menjivar. Menjivar was surprised when the tweet received little reaction from the Garfield community. “No one seemed to be alarmed, no one really reacted to it at all the first time it came around. That definitely wasn’t ok, especially since Garfield is known for its activism.” In a similar situation, a student at Kansas State University posted a picture on snapchat which included her and another person, both of whom were white, wearing black face, and it was captioned, “It feels good to finally be a [racial slur].” The student has since been removed from her university and released an apology where she
stated that she “had only meant for it to be taken in a funny way.” Although the tweet was not made on school grounds, and it was not targeted at any particular Garfield student, many students and faculty have decided to step in and take action. “I’m unsure if returning to Garfield next year will be a safe option.” said the student in question. Menjivar, on the other hand is unsure if allowing him back would be an ideal option for the students of color and Muslim students at Garfield. “I would be surprised if he was allowed back. I would be even more surprised if he wanted to come back. I personally wouldn’t want someone who thinks it is ok to post that on social media to be at a school that I’m going to.” In the past year, Twitter has made significant changes to what one can and cannot share via their platform. According to their policies, a person will face consequences for posting “Hate speech or advocacy against an individual, organization or protected group based on race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or other protected status.” In addition, the company “[does] not tolerate behavior that crosses the line into abuse. This includes behavior that harasses, intimidates, or uses fear to silence another user’s voice.” But what exactly does that mean? If a user is not directly threatening a certain individual or group of people, Twitter will not step in. The tweet was interpreted as Islamophobic, racist, and offended many, but didn’t violate these rules because there was no threat of violence or direct harassment. Instagram has similar rules, but there was a large social media response this summer when it became clear that they weren’t being fairly enforced. Leslie Jones, a popular
Black actress and comedian, was receiving death threats and hateful comments on her pictures after the release of Ghostbusters, but nothing was done by Instagram. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s posts were being
spammed with snake emojis after an online altercation with Kim Kardashian, and Instagram removed them all. This practice of exposing unfair or offensive events online Art by Brianna Kleckner
has become commonplace, and this is how the student’s tweet got so much attention months after it was posted and deleted. According to him, “Someone kept the screenshot until the next year on the day before school. Why they kept it for so long to put it up now baffles me.” But once it was posted by one Garfield student, it quickly gained traction on social media, primarily Twitter and Facebook. Students took sides, the vast majority who commented were against the student and the racist messages his Tweet promoted. Those who supported him weren’t neces-
sarily supporting his words but rather arguing that his apology should have been enough and the reaction was too extreme. According to Howard, in previous incidents regarding hate speech at Garfield, punishment hasn’t been cut and dry. “I think that suspension is just a way to give someone an out. As far as me having the latitude, going to workshop is my number one thing I would require people to do. Number two is learning about the subject [...] and doing a presentation about what you’ve learned to experts.” If a student is willing to learn and grow from an experience, their apology will generally be well received. However, several students were angered by his apology and claimed that he wasn’t apologizing for what he said, but the fact that it offended them. Howard explained just how important education is in cases like these, and that “Inherently the derogatory [language] and prejudice is learned behavior.” In Howard’s opinion, students usually don’t set out trying to say something hurtful, but it is important for high schoolers to be aware of how to handle sensitive issues and not say offensive things. Howard says, “The uniqueness of Garfield, and the diversity that is here, are great things. We talk about diversity, we embrace it, use it and learn from it. That’s the most important [thing].”
Share your bark! This is how it works: We ask a question, you answer. Each issue we will propose a new thought provoking question addressing current Garfield topics. Drop off an answer in the Messenger room (203A) or send us an email at garfieldmessenger@gmail.com. Replies will be published in the following issue. Here’s the first question:
There’s been a recent push in Seattle schools to establish gender neutral bathrooms. Garfield students have started raising discussion and protest about the issue, but what do you think a fair solution is? Should Garfield be gender neutral?
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Photo By Elliott Hoppe
Student-made sign on second floor bathroom The Garfield Messenger10/7/2016
Features Stacks on Stacks
The real costs of applying to college.
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By Claire Boudour
n today’s competitive high school environment, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the stress of college applications. Colleges care about a lot more than grades these days. According to the University of Washington, the commonplace “holistic review” of applications wants students to show “an overall strong level of academic achievement as demonstrated by GPA, rigor of curriculum, standardized test scores, and academic distinctions.” This isn’t always fair for students with less access to expensive opportunities. In order to nail the academic portion of the application process, students are encouraged to take the most challenging courses available to them. At Garfield, this typically involves multiple AP classes, and therefore the costs of multiple AP tests, which can be greatly reduced for students on free or reduced lunch. These tests cost around 100 dollars each, and when students are taking them for multiple years, the costs add up. In addition, AP sciences at Garfield often require students to purchase a lab notebook, and most math classes require a graphing calculator. However, students shouldn’t let this stop them from pursuing high level classes. AP Physics doesn’t require anyone to buy anything, and graphing calculators can almost always Cora Andersen Bicknell
be borrowed from teachers if one doesn’t have the resources to purchase their own. Classes aren’t the only factors in your academic picture- colleges are more likely to accept students with high standardized test scores. These tests have become more and more expensive. Nearly all colleges in the United States require the SAT or ACT, which cost around 45 dollars to take once. At Garfield, students can take the SAT free their first time. Some high schoolers take the SAT and the ACT in order to see which gives them a higher chance of acceptance. To take both would cost almost 100 dollars, or even more if you choose to take the tests with the writing (essay) option. Students applying to more competitive schools may choose to retake the SAT or ACT and try for a better score, in order to make themselves a better candidate. For families with lower incomes, it is sometimes unrealistic to take tests multiple times. Both College Board, who runs the SAT, and the ACT offer fee waivers that can be found online for those who can’t afford the test. Even if one manages to have perfect grades and high standardized test scores, they might not have everything a college is looking for. Athletes have a higher chance of acceptance, and scholarships at many colleges are readily available for players at skill level. But high school
sports can be incredibly expensive. Since the Pay-to-Play fees at Garfield have been taken away, a student only has to purchase a 50 dollar ASB sticker to join a sports team. This makes school sports relatively accessible. If a student is looking to be recruited, they usually have to play their sport for a club outside of school. Using soccer as an example, as, according to the National Collegiate Scouting Association, it is the most common sport for college recruiting it could cost upwards of 2,000 dollars a year to play for teams like Seattle United, which are popular among many Garfield students. Financial aid is available from club teams, but this doesn’t always cover tournament fees and the cost of uniforms, making it a hefty addition to the costs of college admissions. Extracurriculars and leadership activities are also important to many colleges, which can usually be found at Garfield for little to no cost through different clubs. But for students who work after school or on weekends, it can be nearly impossible to balance school and these extra activities. All of these costs aren’t usually discussed when the price of college comes up, but perhaps they should be. In an increasingly stressful application process, wealthy students are poised to have more advantages, whether this manifests in private tutors, college counselors, or the ability to play high level club sports. Garfield has students with incredibly diverse goals and backgrounds, but no matter what a student is trying to accomplish after they graduate, there are resources available within the school and from outside sources.
A Quick Look Back In Time What was it like before we got here?
Courtesey of Marcell Davis
Marcell Davis graduated from Garfield in 2011, over five years ago. Although he felt that his class was fairly divided, he enjoyed the great sense of community and support from friends and staff. According to Davis, there are many similarities between Garfield back then and today. Here’s what he has to say about his time in the dog house. What school activities were you involved in? “I participated in basketball, track, and the Urban League Scholars.” Who were some of your favorite teachers? “Mr. Mandelman, Ms. Burton, Mr. Sample, and Mr. Labi.” What was your overall experience like? “I had a really good experience at Garfield. There was definitely a lot of diversity. I made a lot of friends; some friends that I still talk to now. I [now] appreciate the opportunity I had to have met these people.” What is one of your favorite things about our school? “I loved the spirit of Garfield–all the assemblies, all the sporting events, just everybody rootin’ for the same team.” What have you accomplished since you graduated? “I graduated from Arizona State University [and] just recently moved back to Washington. I’m working now and getting my life started.”
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
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Features
Don't Stand By, Stand Up An introduction to Upstanders. By Hannah Tacke
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usan Burton’s son was killed by a car when he was five. In a state of grief, she spiraled down a path of substance abuse that landed her in and out of prison for twenty years. On her way out for the last time, a prison guard bid Burton goodbye by assuring her that her bed would be “kept warm” for her next visit. Determined to prove the guard wrong and end her relationship with crack cocaine, Burton contacted a residential drug treatment facility in Santa Monica, and from there, was offered the chance she needed to get clean. With her life in her contol, Burton reached out to women in similar situations, often coming out of incarcerations, offering them a bed and a chance at a new start. Susan Burton is an Upstander. Over the course of the summer, senior Quinn Sullivan had a fellowship at the Starbucks headquarters working in their Global Responsibility and Public Policy department. During her fellowship she worked with the citizenship team. This team focuses on increasing civic engagement, and bridging the civilian-military divide by creating programs that employed people coming out of the military.
“Civic duty is being actively involved in your country. There are three tiers: voting, community service, and connecting to elected officials,” says Sullivan. For the last few months, Starbucks has enacted the Upstanders initiative, which gives a platform for those looking to make a positive change in society. Upstanders is an original collection of short stories, films and podcasts sharing the experiences of Upstanders – “ordinary people doing extraordinary things to create positive change in their communities.” Produced by Starbucks founder and CEO Howard
Schultz and executive Rajiv Chandrasekaran, the Upstanders series is intended to inspire others to be active members of society. In the last weeks of her fellowship, Sullivan created a plan of how to move forward, developing her own project that introduces the idea of U p -
standers to the realm of education. “Young people are the perfect target. We are the next generation and all of the world’s problems are going to fall on us. We cannot be bystanders” says Sullivan. With the support of the team and Starbucks resources, Upstanders is currently being launched at Garfield. “The plan consists of three major components: the first is to introduce Upstanders to students within classrooms, the second is to implement a recognition column within the school newspaper, and the final piece is to organize discussions among students,” says Sullivan. She also hopes to spread the movement throughout the district, and has already sparked interest at Roosevelt. “It’s about discussion. First we need to use our voices, next we use our hands, and together we can achieve positive change,” says Sullivan. Email us at garfieldmessenger@ gmail.com if you would like to nominate an Upstander from the Garfield community that will be featured in an upcoming issue. Art by Ana Matsubara
Two Strikes and You're out (of the Halls) Garfield’s new trardy policy. By Ann Shan When Garfield stopped handing out detention as a penalty for tardies several years ago, the replacement policy was largely ignored. This year, the school is implementing a new approach to unexcused tardies: two in one week will result in a student being placed on the “no hall pass” list. The policy was drawn up by a committee of teachers and staff who aim to create common expectations for the Garfield community. However, the policy is facing some resistance from students. One member of the committee, chemistry teacher Meade Johnson, clarifies that the policy does not stem from a distrust of students or a belief that students are irresponsible. “[Our mission is] to create systems that maximize students’ opportunities to learn, that maximize the likelihood that students are in class, and that the environment in the school and in the hallways is conducive to
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learning, ” says Johnson. The policy was a chance for the staff to make it clear to students that not coming to class on time will result in some sort of intervention or consequence. They hope that the consistent and clear nature of the policy will benefit students because Elliott Hoppe all of their classes will have similar expectations. Students such as junior Emma Forman, on the other hand, believe that having a universal, definite policy is a drawback.
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
“Instead, talking to them, or saying ‘can we work out a system?’ and having it more individualized for a student and their needs [would be better],” Forman says. The policy is only a month old and the whole school is still getting a feel for it. One staff member in particular is watching what happens closely: Garfield’s transformation facilitator and former teacher Heather Snookal, who thinks that one of the policy’s instrumental effects will be in bringing attention to the issue at hand. “If people are tardy, there are
reasons why people are tardy. So do we need to change our schedules such that we do have enough time for folks to get where they need to go? Do we need to alter the way we begin our classes so that it works better for you as students and us teachers?” Snookal says. As transformation facilitator, it is her job to look at the data and bring it to light. “I think that when administrators and teachers and students and parents see how many people are out of class at any given time, how many students are tardy at least twice in a week,” Snookal says, “we’ll be able to look to see what we need to change about the way we do things around here.”
Features
The Power of Uncle Joe A legacy left behind.
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By Allani Seals and Jessica Morales
his past summer, on August 10th, our beloved gym manager and dear friend, Joe Bland, passed away from terminal stomach cancer. After 27 years of impacting students’ lives, Joe Bland leaves behind a legacy of hard work and dedication. He was committed to helping every student succeed and encouraging them to place the highest value on their education. Prior to his diagnosis, Joe could be found in the early mornings by the main office and after school supervising sports. While sometimes wearing a seemingly hardened face and appearing reserved, Joe struck a chord with every student because of his positive spirit and constant mentorship.
“Joe was the heart of Garfield”
Being gym manager, Joe was close with many athletes including 2014 basketball player Torrence Baker. “He helped in so many ways, making sure I was straight in class and wasn’t being stupid. He saw that I had a bright future and wanted to make sure I wasn’t messing it up,” says Baker, who attributed Uncle Joe’s “no-nonsense” tactics, and was one of the many students that Joe managed to influence and help out. Kamaia Bland, Joe’s great niece, explains that it’s been hard without him around anymore. “I don’t skip class no more. Hard, cause you know, I’m used to walking in the school in the morning and seeing him...it’s a little weird now.” Joe was so much more than a gym manager; he was an employee of The Seattle Times, ran a landscaping business,
Photo courtesy of the Bland Family goal every year. That growth goal the last couple of years was to ensure all 9th graders passed their personal fitness class. Most of the time the success rate — without pulling it out — was 90 percent or so,” says Lee. Many would agree that it has been difficult without Joe, and the compassion he had for others that made the lives of students at school a bit easier. Recalling memories of Joe, Ms. Lee had one that stood out to her in particular. “He met one student every morning last year at the front door with her wheelchair... even when he wasn’t feeling well before we knew he was sick, he would still come and I would say, ‘Joe I thought you were sick and not feeling well,’ and he would say, ‘Oh no but I have to be here to take care of her.’” A cherry tree will be planted in front of the gym entrance to honor Joe and all he’s done for Garfield. The seniors are also planning to memorialize Joe since they were going to be the last class to have him. However, many students think more should be done in his memory. “I think the basketball court should be named after him,” Baker says. “Put his name on the court. He did so much for that gym and for us athletes. I think it’s only right that it should be done.”
thing for Joe, Borgmann and Shelton say that a lot needs to be accomplished in time for the Winter Sports Assembly. “We [ASB] want to remember Joe permanently.” Joe, having affected Garfield’s student body, influenced staff members as well. Ms. Lee offered up some of her own abstract ideas as to what should be done in Joe’s memory. “If we could do something that would have a continuous remembrance of Joe, something in his honor to celebrate students that support students, which is what he would really like, I think that would be awesome.” Even in his last days his courage and faith didn’t waiver. “He knew God was doing the best for him, and he believed he was gonna get better,” Ms. Lee said. “He was still looking to the future. He was anticipating coming back. He was never — not that at times he didn’t feel bad about his situation — but you would never know it when you talked to him.” He spent his last days in the comfort of his home surrounded by family. Joe was the heart of Garfield, and with his passing he has affected hundreds, if not thousands of both past and present students that were fortunate enough to get to know him. There won’t be another man as dedicated, selfless and gumptious. He wasn’t blood to all of us, but he was still an essential component to Garfield’s family. On behalf of Garfield students and staff, we’ll miss you Uncle Joe.
Elliott Hoppe
“Even in his last days his courage and faith didn’t waiver.”
Photo courtesy of Bill Kossen and to many, he was also someone they could turn to when they were in need of help and guidance. Ms. Lee remembers that he often set high standards for himself. “He was one of the few classified staff that wrote a growth
Like Baker, Bland agrees that more should be done to honor her uncle, “I don’t think a moment of silence is gonna do enough for me,” she says. When being told how many students are hoping the gym will be named after him, Bland excitedly says yes because, “That was his gym! He took control of that whole thing.” It became clear in his Celebration of Life, held two weeks after his passing, how many people loved him. Sophomores, Marte Borgmann and Sylvia Shelton, two of the many ASG/ASB members that attended his memorial, recall how powerful it was to be there. “There was an entire section for Garfield and another for family, there were so many people...a [good] overwhelming amount of teachers and staff...parking was ridiculous.” Borgmann and Shelton say. Although Joe’s passing caused immense heartbreak at Garfield, it also caused pain to the entire community that grew up with him in the Central District. So much so, representatives from Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Police Department, and even the mayor showed up, declaring August 24th as “Joe Bland Day.” When asked what ASB is up to in terms of planning any-
Portrait of Joe in the boys’ locker room
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A&E * David’s legs were too long to be included in this picture.
Listen up 0’20, you probably deserve it. Sike! It’s important for you to realize that age shouldn’t justify superiority or mean behavior. We suggest that you address your problems with said upperclassmen directly, and if after doing so you are still being mistreated, feel free to hit either of us up and we’ll make sure to set these kids straight. My seat partner in sixth period smells bad and I don’t know what to do about it! This one’s tricky. The most sensitive option would be to casually bring up a conversation about personal hygiene.Maybe just rave about your new shampoo or about how you’re a big fan of the new scent by Old Spice. Maybe this will start some personal hygiene ideas in their head and convince them to shower once in awhile. Another option is to just whip out some cologne or perfume and spray some on yourself than offer some to them (or simply spray them).
Advice with David & Paulette Meet David; A fun and flirty senior boy who is a grand companion to many. Standing 6 feet tall and about 3 feet taller than myself, he towers over the scammers that walk these halls. In addition to being an aspiring professional advice giver, David runs on the Garfield cross country team. Also, if you’re ever craving a baked good, he can serve you a piping hot, freshly-baked pastry at The Madison Park bakery where he is following his childhood dream of becoming the Muffin Man. But why can we trust him? He is the forum officer on GSA and has a wide group of friends with whom he’s shared many life experiences that he is now willing to pass on to you his 17 years of wisdom. -from Paulette
Meet Paul. She’s your average GHS 018 girl (take that as you will). She works at Pagliacci, she’s on the Garfield dance team, and she is a saucy Greek descendant of Poseidon. What makes Paul qualified to answer your questions? Well that’s easy! She’s a student, a companion, a teammate, and most of all a friend to all her fellow bulldogs. If you need help/advice with just about anything, she is most definitely the one to ask. -from David Here are some sample questions to show a little bit of how our column will run: I’ve been having a hard time lately but I don’t think my teachers understand or care. What do I do?
This is a super common problem for all highschoolers. Our lives are crazy busy and full of drama inside and outside of school. Sometimes, you just need to stand up for yourself and talk to your teacher because if you don’t, there’s no way for them to know you’re struggling. I’m sure once you confront them and tell them you might need extra help or time on assignments they would be willing to help you. If this all fails, fake it till’ you make it. I’m a freshman and I feel like all the upperclassmen are pushing me around and not giving me the respect I deserve. How should I approach this problem, without making them all hate me?
Disclaimer: We are going to try our hardest to present you with the best advice possible, but keep in mind that we are just high schoolers and not professionals. We are open to feedback so let us know what you think!
Please Silence All Cell Phones Four New Movies to be Excited About. By: Elena Orlando The Birth of a Nation The Girl on the Train The movie adaption of the hit 2015 thriller, The Girl on the Train, is in theaters today. EmKevin Hart: What Now? ily Blunt plays Rachel Watson, a divorcee entangled in a missing In his fourth movie this year, Kevin person’s case while struggling Hart does not star as a villainous bunny or a not to succumb to her alcohol rookie detective, he is Kevin Hart. Coming to addiction and frequent memory theaters on October 14th, the film is a standlapses. I won’t give away too up performance Hart gave at Philadelphia’s much, but if you enjoyed Gone Lincoln Financial Field in front of a crowd of Girl, this movie is right up your 53,000 people. If you want to hear an hour and dark and twisted street. of half of Hart’s super energized humor this movie is for you.
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The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
This film incited a great deal of controversy before it even hit theatres. Labeled a serious Oscar contender, The Certain Women Birth of a Nation tells the true story of Nat Turner, a deeply religious slave who took This Sundance selection redirection from his visions to lead one of volves around three independent the most successful slave revolts in U.S. women who face the limitations history. While this film covers such an created by that label. Based on a colimportant milestone in the struggle for lection of short stories, the film takes liberation, Nate Parker who portrays place in the Northwest, and Kristen Turner, has diverted the attention away Stewart plays one of the main characters from the story, as news that Parker was - a lawyer named Beth Travis. Coming to accused of rape in 1999 resurfaced. theaters October 14th, Certain Women is Though Parker was found innocent, an emotional and honest portrayal of asthe existence of this incident has dipirations colliding with societal expectavided people as the accusation falls tions. directly contrary to a central issue of the film; that freedom is a right everyone should be awarded, but is not realized.
News
OCTOBER Activities & Events by Susana Davidson
If you are looking for something to do, The Messenger recommends TeenTix! TeenTix is an organization aimed at making Seattle’s arts and culture more accessible to teens. Head over to their website, https:// www.teentix.org/, and check out their monthy calendar of events. Once you receive your pass, you can get into thousands of super cool performances, exhibits and concerts for just $5!
Why Feminism Matters An introduction to the Intersectional Feminism Club. By Esther Chien Every Friday at lunch, the art room becomes host to a different kind of expression. Welcome to the Intersectional Feminism Club, a club that provides a space for students to advocate for gender equality and explore intersectional feminism, a branch that takes into account that various forms of oppression can be combined. Class of 2016 alumni Hera Ford founded this club with the support of the former members of the Black Student Union, later passing down the legacy to current seniors Amira Abdel-Fattah and Rheana Dale. Last year, the club chose to focus on feminism directly affecting African-American women, but they’ve implemented a new target for the upcoming year. In addition to working towards diversity in race and ethnicity, as well as socio-economic class, gender is a limitation the presidents are hoping to change. A member of the Intersectional Feminism Club ever since it was founded, Griffin Scott-Rifer highly encourages increased male support in the club. “I think there’s stigma about guys calling themselves feminists because it’s really
only associated with women but I think it’s for everyone,” he said. Increased male participation will not only educate a more diverse group of people, but also broaden the definition of what a feminist is. “Raising awareness around these issues is really important because it’s going to take everyone to actually change anything so guys need to be educated as well,” Scott-Rifer added. This trend hasn’t just been noticed by returning members, it was also prevalent among the Photo by Ruby Seiwerath incoming class. “At the freshmen barbecue, Club leaders, Amira Abdel-Fattah and Rheana Dale we only got girls stopping by. Someone’s father was like, oh he’s not going to join the club, obviously, be- change the club’s vision for the 2016-2017 cause he’s a man. That’s what we’re trying to year. Last year, the group focused on discuss- change this year. We want [people] to know ing feminist issues and aimed at increasing that everyone needs feminism,” said presi- awareness, but this year, Scott-Rifer would dent Abdel-Fattah. like to see the club trying new ideas. The club aims to become more involved “We should collaborate with other clubs. in the Garfield community, as they want to We need more organization and more activ-
ities. Last year we just did a lot of reading and discussing,” he said. Outreach is just part of the plan the leaders have to transform the club, and they’d also like to do hands-on projects, such as selling art made by members to help support the club’s cause and raise funds for future events. Beyond fundraising, the focus of the club’s transformation is to reaffirm the goal of intersectional feminism. “It’s impossible for women to get equality if women of color, queer women, poor women, disabled women, are left out. That’s not equality at all,” said Abdel-Fattah. “Feminism, by definition, needs to include all women and for it not to, is a failure on its part.”
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The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2015
A&E
Written in the Stars
Horoscopes, Messenger style. By Bella Rowland-Reid
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ver wish you could just see into the future? Well, we can. And that’s why the Garfield Messenger has taken it upon ourselves to consult the stars and decode your next nine months of school. Libra (September 23-October 22) Ah, yes, the scales of the Libra! Truth and law! Fairness and impartiality! Justice and… math? From what the stars are telling me, the next nine months will leave you restless with algebraic equations, square roots, and Ti-83 calculators. Say goodbye to parties and homework-free nights, for it looks as if the equation for your social life equals zero. Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Seeing as the dates of the Scorpio lie perfecting in the season of pumpkin spice, warm sweaters, and all the other things fall, I am predicting a calm and cozy year with copious amounts of coffee drinks and scented candles. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Seeing that I myself fall into the lovely months that are Sagittarius birthdays (December 7th, anyone?) I sense the stars are a little biased. That being said, prepare yourself with a rigorous course load until the end of the semester. However, this storm of es-
says and textbook reading won’t last long, you will find shelter in the calm months of second semester.
the extra (ahem, additional) credit opportunities you may receive to a promotion in work or responsibilities, take your newfound power and run with it!
ing notes or hallway hangout sessions ( just keep it PG). Art by Brianna Kleckner
Aries (March 21-April 19) Use your courageous spirit and apply it to both your school and social life. Challenge your perceptions of those around you and perhaps you’ll find yourself with some new friends. Go bungee jumping. Eat a cockroach. I don’t care. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) The start of the new year will bring about some bad news, I’m afraid. Stress may get the best of you at certain points this year, but you will soon find a harmonious balance between work and play. Make a point of helping out your Libra friends with their geometry. Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Why alas, my fishy friends, this year will be good to you! Take advantage of the -wait, aquarius aren’t the fish? What in God’s name is a water bearer? This is awkward. Pisces (February 19-March 20) There we go! Now, like I was saying, take advantage of the numerous opportunities that will be available to you this year. From
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Take this year to focus on yourself. Put yourself first and eliminate the people and things that cause you stress or pain and pretty soon, you’ll be good as new! Toxic friend? Drop ‘em! Hard class? Drop it! In fact, just abandon school altogether. Gemini (May 21-June 20) So, the Gemini’s sign animal is a snake… Interesting... Cancer (June 21-July 22) Just like the months of the June and July, expect this year to be hot, hot, hot! From your grades to your perhaps newfound love of five-star Thai food, everything in your life will be ramped up a notch or two. Find some steamy romance in the innocence of pass-
Leo (July 23-August 22) Unlike your Cancer neighbors, expect this year to be cold, cold, cold. From assigned seating next to the chilly window in class to an unexpected cold shoulder from friends or lovers, know this year won’t be easy for you. But don’t lose hope! Remember, watched ice never melts. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Your analysis skills will help you immensely this year. Whether you’re taking a dreaded SAT exam or just writing an essay for some book you didn’t even read in Language Arts, always stand by the old saying: fake it ‘til you make it. And you, Virgos, will have a lot of faking to do.
Bummer-shoot?
LocalBy Julia music festival faces changes. Reguera Our local festival, Bumbershoot, has recently made changes, quickly sinking down the mainstream. In the past decade, prices have skyrocketed, causing their crowd and organization to change. To get the facts straight, in 2013 Bumbershoot ticket prices were over 33% higher than 2011 at $55, and almost double what they were in 2007 at 35$. Tickets were $70 a day in 2013 if purchased the week of the festival. This year (2016), tickets were $120 a day when purchased the week of the festival, not including additional charges. Though Seattleites like to gripe about how pricey Bumbershoot is, it is the average price of a major music festival. Ever since funding changed from a non profit to an AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group) three years ago, the festival has taken away most of the art and counterculture that made Bumbershoot so different.
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Because prices have risen so much, Bum- mainstream music festival. bershoot is becoming less of a family Along with rising prices, recent venue activity, and more of a mainstream changes have caused many complaints music festival for young adults. about the festival’s organization. This year, When the festival first opened in in order to see a show inside KeyArena 1971, it was free. Mayor Wes which was the main stage at Uhlman stated that the festhe festival, tival was created in order to one would have to wait “keep the over an hour, some times human spirit going” up to four, and not with art and music even be guaranteed for families, during a decent seats. The time of high unemploylack of line management and stress. Just five ment had great effects years ago, tickets were as well, as people cut and only $45 for adults and shoving ensued as a refree for children 6-10. sult of the long wait. At Art by Cora Andersen Bicknell Old Bumbershoot was a a music festival that cost $120 fun-loving place for families, with a wide a day, senior Owen Riddick explained how variety of music and activities.Recently, many people were angered after a two hour it seems like it has grown into an average, wait, when they finally got into the venue
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
and saw that the floor was only half-filled. “I don’t know why they didn’t just let people just go on to the floor earlier instead of making us wait for almost half the time I was there. I feel like I wasted a lot of my money waiting in lines at Bumbershoot and it was disappointing to see that I could’ve gotten in hours earlier.” For better or for worse, Bumbershoot is undergoing many changes. A few years ago the festival was unique to Seattle. As each year passes, it grows more and more indistinguishable from every other music festival. “Even though I spent so much time in lines and it is really different than other years, the festival was still lit,” said senior Owen Riddick “I had a lot of fun.”
A&E
Mindful Music Social justice through music.
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By Kiki Manning
umbershoot, Seattle’s iconic goodbye to summer, say, whatever their message is,” said Moodie. “So it’s not had more than just condom balloons and girls a responsibility, but I do think there is nothing wrong for covered in glitter this year. Several artists took the choosing to deal with social justice issues, it’s definitely a opportunity to address the election season, as well as good thing.” social justice issues, in front of thousands of people. Most Moodie was able to perform as a member of the EMP notably, Macklemore projected “#BLACKLIVESMATTER” on the screens during his set as he performed “White Privilege II.” Over the course of the three day festival, the song “F*ck Donald Trump”, dissing the republican presidential candidate, was performed multiple times by YG, G-Eazy, and Macklemore. The band Third Eye Blind performed one of their latest singles, “Cop Vs Phone Girl” that includes lyrics like, “Why’s it so hard to say Black Lives Matter?/ Doesn’t mean that you’re anti-white/Take it from me, I’m super f*cking white.” Using music to talk about social justice isn’t a new trend; it’s something seen across all genres, but it’s strongest presence is in hip hop. Rapper 2Pac frequently used his music to share the stories of the cycles of poverty and oppression that is found in black communities, in songs such as “Words Photo Courtesy of The Seattle Times of Wisdom” and “Trapped.” “If you look into the past there are exMacklemore on stage at Bumbershoot. amples of it, but it was never as strong as it is now, there’s a lot more of it,” junior Carlin MacCorkle said. Garfield senior Max Moodie performed on the BumberHip-Hop Artist Residency. The program is a summer shoot mainstage this summer and although he notices that intensive in which teen artists develop their musical skills many songs have social justice messages, Moodie does not under the instruction of professions in the Seattle hip hop feel that they are an obligation. scene. “I think an artist is really just whatever they want to “I would say most of the people who it might impact are
already in the mindset,” said Moodie. “My perspective is that people’s mindsets change very little from anything other than personal experience. If you hear a song or see a movie, I don’t think that changes people’s opinions strongly as much as meeting somebody. Say somebody is homophobic, if they meet someone who’s gay and they become friends that might affect it. I don’t think songs really do that much.” On the other hand, MacCorkle thinks using music has the potential to reach a larger audience than other methods could. “I think it can be really powerful, depending on how they do it,” she said. “I think using your platform to say something about what’s going on in the world is good because it’s someone where you can look at what they said and put a name to it.” At the end of the day it’s still at the artist’s discretion to decide what they want to create. “Everybody has their own reason for doing stuff, it might just be entertainment, it might be social justice, it might be personal issues,” said Moodie. Only time will tell on whether the surge of discussion of social issues in various forms of media is just a fad or if it will become the normal. “I feel like it is something that will keep going,” said MacCorkle. “People are becoming more aware and celebrities using their platform is going to become more common.”
INSTRAGRAM AND SNAPCHAT @POST.84
Looking for an adventure in nature? Are you hoping to get to know more people from other schools? Do you love taking on challenges with a team? Come on Fall Survival, a POST Trip coming up in November! Questions??? Laila Marshall (206)-619-6442 survival@post84.org
Find forms at post84.org or on our Facebook page and turn them in by November 4th!
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The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
Sports Back In The House
Coach Thomas adds spark to Garfield football. By Alex Ferry
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ny dogs in the house true dogs? Hell yeah! From their very first game, the Garfield football team came out as a transformed unit and took down Newport, with a final score of 53-24. They went on to trample their next opponents, Juanita 2814, Chief Sealth 51-9, and West Seattle 65-0. This year’s team has become a new set of Bulldogs, and much of the credit can be given to newly hired Coach Joey Thomas, who has created a sense of responsibility and leadership that the team must carry. “Ever since he got here, things just picked up pace,” says player Mekhi Metcalf. “At practice there’s absolutely no walking on the field, and if someone doesn’t do a drill full speed, then you can best believe that he will add more time to that drill,” he says. “We’ve been more disciplined about the little things we do. Like being on time for practice and doing the right thing, even if no
one is watching,” says defensive end tight end Jelani Howard. “In the summer we were practicing in the morning, taking a break, and then come back to practice again. Now during school we practice early in the morning.” Coach Thomas has been a part of the game for quite awhile, which gives him the experience needed to lead this group of boys. “I grew up playing for an organization that played right on this very field (Garfield field). I went to UW, transferred to Montana State, played there, 3 time all American, 3 time all league,” Thomas says. “I’m regarded as the best cover corner to ever come out the Big Sky conference–you can google that.” Their success so far goes to show what a great decision this was for both Coach Thomas, and the boys. But there’s more than just scoreboards changing on this team.
“We’ve become more together as a unit, this coaching staff talks about this team being a brotherhood and family and that’s what we pride ourselves off of,” says Howard. Coach Thomas is the leader of this family, and he treats them as if they were his own. “I just like my team. I like my guys. These guys are loveable, a lot of personalities, everyone is coachable, everyone’s respectable, just a great group of kids, and it’s not always that way. I love my team,” Thomas says. Coach Thomas is constantly reminding the team of their goals, and he motivates them to work hard each and every day. “It seems like he comes to practice everyday with a new quote, and he’s constantly hyping us up. He’s definitely the spark that gets this team going,” says Metcalf. Coach Thomas leads the team with his personal philosophy, the famed TOP.
“My biggest thing is TOP, totally optimize potential. It’s about being the best you, day in and day out, and if you can do that, you can live with whatever the results are,” he says. Thomas emphasizes over and over that results are not what he wants in the long run. “It’s not about me, it’s about we. If we win, everyone goes to college. At the end of the day that’s what it’s about, getting a free education. The big goal is, lets change communities and change lives through education, I’m trying to get the kids to see the big picture,” Thomas says. As for Thomas, the big picture is looking like a long stay at the dog house. “I’m not going nowhere. As long as Haskins and Howard are here, I’m gonna be here. Send your kids to the dawg house. I’ll be here.”
Kneeling for a Brighter Future Garfield’s football team (does’nt) take a stand. By Delphi Drake-Mudede For Garfield High School’s football team, kneeling during the national anthem each game is more than just a way to emulate San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest. It’s a way for the players, the school, and the community at whole to recognize issues of injustice in our country. Kaepernick’s protest has sparked a nationwide conversation about the racial inequality in the United States. Multiple professional athletes have followed in his footsteps, including Seattle Reign player Megan Rapinoe, and Seahawks cornerback, Jeremy Lane. On September 16th, our very own Garfield football team, their cheerleaders, the marching band, and their coaching staff took a knee during the anthem at their game against West Seattle. “We all decided to kneel because thought it was the right thing to do, and we wanted to support the football team” says Nicole Scoggins, a cheer captain. The team has received a lot of attention for their actions. Within twenty four hours of the game against West seattle, the team was shouted out by American civil rights ac-
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tivist, DeRay Mckesson, and senior justice writer for the New York Daily News, Shaun King. Head football coach, Joey Thomas has made it clear that it was the players’ decision to kneel and not his. “This is what the players wanted to do,” says Thomas. “I pride myself on being willing to have conversations with my players about tough issues.” The team began this protest for a multitude of reasons. They are hoping it will be a step towards equality for all, in and outside of Garfield. Aside from kneeling, the team is going to be meeting with the local police, Garfield students, and Garfield faculty to have conversations about how they can work together for a better future. The protest is also an effort help to unify Garfield against a common enemy: oppression and social injustice. “It felt like we were a part of something, a part of Garfield,” says cheerleader Zoya Garg on this feeling of unification. Thomas believes that others should follow in Kaepernick’s’ footsteps if they believe
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
or dealt with police brutality at some point in their life. This is referenced in the statement released by the team, “Many of us have been touched in some way in our own personal lives by racism, segregation and bias.” On September 23rd, principal Ted Howard released a statement showing his complete support for what the team is doPhoto by Freya Weidmann ing. “The Garfield football team has taken a powerful, Garfield’s football team kneels at a recent game. united stance with the hope in the cause. “It is important for anyone that of being a catalyst for positive believes in the cause [to kneel], not just dialogue and change,” he wrote. Garfield high school. Anyone who believes “I ask our community to support our in what we are trying to stand for, and that’s young people, our team and our leaders”. social justice”. The Garfield football team will continue Many of the athletes on the team believe to kneel for the rest of this season. “We have in the cause because they have personally unanimously decided to take a position as a dealt with it. Multiple players have come team,” the team wrote. “[Working] towards out and said they have been racially profiled a better future together.”
Sports
Freshletes
The freshest princes and princesses of Garfield sports. by Sydney Santos and Charlotte Gong
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hey swim fast, spike hard, drive long, and push themselves further than anyone thought possible. These freshmen athletes are the latest superstar additions to Garfield’s top-notch rosters. Connor Koenigs: For most of the 2020 class, holding a normal-sized golf club is somewhat of a strug-
gle. However, a few freshmen have been brave enough to try out the formidable sport of golf, which now is arguably a sport due to its presence in the Rio 2016 Olympics. One of these youngsters is Connor Koenigs. Koenigs’ first time touching a tee wasn’t the first day of golf practice this year, unlike many other players; his interest in golf has been fostered by his father’s love of the game.
“I’ve been playing for three years, not legit or competitively, but this is the first year I’ve actually played,” Koenigs said. The freshman signed up for golf after hearing how great it was from his sister’s friend, who also attends Garfield. “I have always liked golf, so I decided to do it.” This has allowed Koenigs to thrive on the team; in the first meet against Nathan Hale he scored a 6, which placed him rea-
sonably high in the ranking of the match. “[Koenigs] is young, but he’s competitive with the team, and he’s scoring a lot with the upperclassmen. Connor has a lot of potential...I can see him doing really well,” says head golf Coach Paul Spangenburg. Koenigs is planning on participating in the next few years, so watch out Bulldogs cause this golfer is aiming for par-fection!
Leath Crawford:
Claire Becker:
Freshman Leath Crawford certainly has legacy on her side. Her sister Jocelyn, was a crucial member of the Garfield swim team until her graduation in 2016, but Leath is cruising the lanes on her own. Crawford got a start in swimming at an early age, attending her sister’s meets on a regular basis. But the young Crawford couldn’t just watch from the sidelines; she was dying to dive in. “I hated going to her swim meets and not being able to get in the water,” Crawford recalls. Crawford has been carving her own strokes towards success ever since. Her best times so far in CAAT practices include 1:13 in the 100m breaststroke, and 1:07 in the 100m backstroke. In a recent meet against Bainbridge High school, she came in 1st for the 200 Individual Medley with a 2:32 time. Originally, she joined the Garfield team to get more practice time, but she has become an important asset to the team. “[Leath] did really well in our first meet,” says Senior Swim team Captain Maggie Rosen.“I definitely expect her to continue to impress, swim fast, and in general, contribute to the team in positive ways.” While Crawford still has three more years at Garfield, this bulldog pup is poised to make a grand splash in Garfield girls’ swim.
When it comes to volleyball, Claire Becker knows what it means to dig in. At a tournament in Yakima last year with her club team, Becker lunged and dove for every ball, stretching to the edge of her abilities. At the end of the day, Becker received special recognition for her outstanding determination. “I got a medal for pushing myself really hard and going for all the balls” says Becker. It was that same determination that led this freshman to try out and make varsity this season. When practices first started, she felt a little awkward as the only freshman. “At first I was sort of left out,” says Becker, “because I wasn’t really talking to anyone. Now, I think we all get along pretty well, and it’s really fun.” It’s also hard work. Becker says that head coach Jake Putnam pushes the team hard; he delivers tough critique to improve their passing, hitting, and serving skills. According to Becker, this approach has helped her improve a lot as a player. Hurd says Becker works really hard in practice, and fits right in on the team. Hurd just wishes Becker could recognize her own potential. “She doesn’t believe in herself as much as we all do,” says Hurd.“Because she’s just like an amazing player. She’s really good and I want her to know.”
Photos by Peter Kubiniec
Isaiah Rocky: Even though it’s only his fourth year of playing football, freshman Isaiah Rocky is already thinking about the future: “I want to go all the way, go NFL, go pro.” Rocky, who also participates in basketball and track, has been a key player on Garfield’s
JV football team this fall. In the September 19th game against East Valley, he had eight tackles and two sacks; the game before, three tackles and one interception. Rocky’s success is no surprise to his peers: “He’s a naturally gifted kid...he knows the sport, but most importantly he’s constantly trying to figure out how to be a better foot-
ball player,” said Coach Reggie Spoon, head JV football coach. Coach Spoon says that Rocky’s communication and consistent hard work has been paying off. It also helps that Rocky’s team fosters a positive, inclusive environment that has helped the freshman transition into high school.
“It’s a welcoming team, everyone is close together… No one turns on each other,” says Rocky. “We always work together and never give up.” Rocky is definitely a young Bulldog worth watching in person before he shows up on ESPN; in the words of Coach Spoon, “I know he will become a great.”
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
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Sports
Is it Really Winning?
Seattle Makes Olympic Bid for 2024.
By Josh Chestnut lashback to 1896, when the first Olympics of the modern era were held in Athens. At this time, the Olympics were a promising revival of the ancient games, with host cities pleading to have the Olympics on home soil. Fast forward to today and countries across the globe are less inclined to host the event. During the 2022 Olympic bidding, all democratic states pulled out, leaving Beijing, Almaty, and the Republic of Kazakhstan left to fight for the chance to host. Cities such as Krakow, Munich, and Oslo were forced to withdraw their bids once the public voted against the prospect of hosting. However, Seattle and 35 other cities around the globe have expressed interest after they received an informal invitation sent out by the US Olympic Committee. The acceptance of this invitation would put Seattle in contention to host if we wanted to. In my opinion, hosting the Summer Olympics in 2024, or any other Olympic event, would be a foolish decision by Seattle. There is a reason that cities across the globe are no longer drooling over the option to host the Olympics. The drawback of hosting the Olympics begins with the cost,
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in which the steep price of building new stadiums is often underestimated by the host city. The Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia was projected to cost a total of $12 billion, but those projections
Brazil is a soccer stadium constructed to display the beauty of the Olympics. A couple months later, and this 40,000 seat stadium hosts a 2nd tier soccer team that averages only 1,500 fans per game.
In proved addition irrelevant when to the threat of the total accumuoverbuilding, the lated to around $50 Olympic building Cora Anderson-Bicknell billion. process displaces citizens, Overbuilding often occurs during the which would only worsen the gentrification preparation and construction that comes and homelessness problem that Seattle is with hosting an Olympic event. Over the challenged by today. years, the Olympic Committee has favored During the Olympics in Atlanta, 30,000 new stadiums over old ones. This encour- people were displaced to make room for staages host cities to build new stadiums, but diums. Seattle, which currently has the third after the Olympics they are left with mas- highest homeless population in the U.S., in sive facilities with no purpose. For example, which 30% are families, cannot overlook the standing in a low class neighborhood in effect on its citizens once huge stadiums are
built. Stadiums are also costly, and Seattle’s budget is already investing large chunks of money into infrastructure projects. We are currently spending close to $7 billion on the downtown tunnel, the waterfront, and the 520 bridge, leaving little room for alternative spending. Another factor is the potential for an unsuccessful bid. Informal discussions have proved dangerous in the past with Chicago and New York wasting up to $100 million on a simple bid. With these factors in mind, it may be difficult for Seattle to host an event as global as the Olympics. But the lingering question is still evident,“why us?” Overall, Seattle is on the economic rise. We have a tourism industry that has increased each of the past three years, an unemployment rate that has decreased by 3.5% since 2011, and an increased minimum wage. It doesn’t seem logical to take a risk as giant as hosting the Olympics when we are already ahead. The sad reality is that the Olympics is not what it used to be and Seattle should take a step back before making drastic moves for the future.
SLAY
Garfield’s athletes are participating in more than just sports. By Sydney Santos “What is your favorite TV show?” The reader, another sweaty face in the circle of girls, paused for a moment. A few people away, I stood in the uncomfortable silence, assuming the answer to the question would only produce emotionless faces. The girls surrounding me, besides our knack for running, didn’t have much in common. The girl finally answered: “Well, right now it’s definitely Stranger Things.” An unanimous reaction burst from almost every girl: “Oh my gosh, I love that show!” Masks of tension and insecurity melted from our complexions. We felt comfortable around each other; we felt bonded. I experienced this fun, get-to know-you activity in a weekly SLAY (Student Leaders & Athletic Youth) meeting, where Garfield’s female cross country participants came together to discuss various issues involving empowerment and sexuality. The SLAY instructors’ goal is to get girls familiar with issues the standard health class doesn’t cover and promote healthy relationships between female athletes and their partners. This focus on relationships stems from
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the male athlete version of SLAY, also known as Coaching Boys to Men. Established 10 years ago, this program trains coaches to educate male athletes on healthy relationships and speaking out against violence. But a girl’s counterpart was never created until Rebecca Milliman, Garfield alumni and social worker at the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress, decided to create SLAY. Milliman chose to operate the project in Garfield not just because it is her alma mater: “Our funders wanted us to use one specific community to work with that has a level of readiness to take on a big issue such as this, and Garfield already had a basic understanding of sexual assault and what it is... other schools or communities can have a sort of denial or silence around it.” One of the proposals in her grant application involved using the Coaching Boys to Men program with one of the male teams at Garfield. When Milliman approached Principal Howard, he not only thoroughly endorsed the program but also advocated for all teams to participate.
The Garfield Messenger 10/7/2016
“Once [Howard] had this larger vision, we decided that while these types of efforts and education certainly should be focused on boys, young women have a very important voice in this issue,” Milliman recalled. Therefore Milliman established a one-of-a-kind counterpart to the boy’s program. Last year’s winter teams was the first group of females to take part in SLAY, including wrestling captain Sophia Orlando. “As a girl in a male-dominated sport, it’s hard sometimes to get that female support, so it was really nice to have this community in SLAY,” said Orlando. She also noticed that the effects of her team participating in the program were significant: “What I saw within my own team is girls connecting a lot more, cheering each other on, a lot more support at matches. It was a great bonding experience.”
Art by Cora Andersen Bicknell
sports
Fall Sports Previews
What to watch this season. by Lily Laesch
Girls Swimming
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very morning the dedicated members of the Lady Bullfrogs train at the Medgar Evers pool before school starts, hoping to continue their appearances in bot district and state meets. “This year we’re really focused on getting as many people as possible into the big meets,” says senior captain Amelia Lappenbusch. With a roster made up of mostly freshman, the swim team is set for future years. “It’s very exciting to have a lot of new faces,” says Lappenbusch. “There’s going to be a strong Garfield swim team for a long time.”
Photo by Peter Kubiniec
Girls Soccer
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fter an upsetting loss in playoffs last year, the Garfield girls soccer team is back this season with redemption in
mind. “This year we have a more experienced team and everyone knows the level that we need to play at,” says junior captain Elise Morris. Although the team is currently domi-
nating their league group, with three wins and one tie, they are likely to face tougher competition later this season. “We all need to want to win together as a team,” remarks senior captain Noelle Kim. With a determination, energy, and drive, the soccer team is destined to go far.
Cross Country
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ueled by pasta feeds and personal records, these cross country athletes are ready for the fall season. “We know when it’s time to get serious and when it’s appropriate to have fun, which makes us a strong team all together,” says junior captain Lily Hayes. The girls team has won all of their league meets so far, and the boys team has received second place twice and first place once. With a program nearly 100 people strong, the close-knit community is a big part of the cross country team. “There are lots of people with lots of different backgrounds and ideas but we all still work together really well,” says senior captain Will Laird. “We refer to each other as a giant family and we’re all there for eachother.”
Photo by Freya Weidemann
Mess Guess Liverpool v. Manchester? (Premier League)
Florida State v. Miami (NCAA football) LA Kings v. San Jose Sharks? (NHL) Stanford v. UCLA? (NCAA Women’s Soccer) Seahawks v. Falcons? (NFL)
Golf
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n previous years, Garfield Golf has won the King County league championship and placed in state, a feat they’re hoping to accomplish this season. “We want win the state tournament and qualify for Masters,” says Coach Paul Spangenberg. With six matches under their belt, the team is optimistic regarding the outcomes of the rest of the season. “We still have a lot of time to improve our record,” says senior captain Gabe Curhan. “I think we have more talent this year than we’ve had in the past.”
Photo by Elliott Hoppe
Volleyball
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espite losing six starters, The Garfield Volleydogs want to go undefeated in the Metro League for the third year in a row. “Of course everyone wants to go to state,” says senior captain Lanai Hurd. “But this year is more of a rebuilding year for us so our goal is to grow skillfully and mentally.”
“We’ve been getting better competition , which will set us up for success,” says fellow senior captain Sarah Kwatinetz. “We have strength within our team and we have so much room to grow.”
Football
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ith four wins so far this season, the football team is ready for the challenges ahead. “We are definitely aiming for state,” says junior defensive captain Jason Nguyen. “But we’re focused on what’s ahead of us right now.” Being on the football team means fun and seriousness come hand and hand. “There’s lots of dancing and joking around but we are very focused when we’re running through plays or studying our opponents in the film room,” Nguyen says. “We’re part of a brotherhood.” “It honestly doesn’t matter who we play,” says junior quarterback Max Nall. “As long as we keep a good attitude and execute our assignments there is no one who can beat us.” Photo by Freya Weidemann
Emma Cooper
Alex Ferry
Josh Chestnut
Bella Rowland-Reid
Lily Laesch
Liverpool
Manchester
Manchester
Manchester
Manchester
Florida State
University of Miami
Florida State
University of Miami
Florida State
Sharks
Kings
Kings
Sharks
Kings
Stanford
UCLA
Stanford
UCLA
UCLA
Seahawks
Seahawks
Seahawks
Seahawks
Seahawks
The scent of victorious cheers, bloodcurdling screams, and salty tears are in the air. Who will emerge unscatched from our newest round of Mess Guess? Returning veterans Emma “I’m the Sports Editor Now” Cooper and Alex “Bainbridge” Ferry are battlehardened with classic strategies, yet neither has ever won a Mess Gues round. Will this finally be their year? Newcomer Josh “Li’l Nut” Chestnut is be playing it safe and smart but he will soon learn that it takes ingenuity and imagination to succeed in this race. Bella “Last Remianing Mariners Fan” Rowland-Reid has finally made it into Mess Guess, but we’ll have to wait and see if she can handle it. Rookie Lily “Laeschtastic” Laesch looks strong in her picks, but beginner’s luck may only take her so far.
The Garfield Messenger 6/3/2016
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